William Atkins
Saturday, 27 September 2008 20:43
Science -
Space
Page 1 of 2
The state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday, September 27, 2008, that China conducted its first extra-vehicular activity (EVA) beginning at 4:43 p.m. Beijing, China time (0843 UTC). The spacewalk is the first one conducted by China.
The Chinese report that its taikonaut (or, Chinese astronaut) Zhai Zhigange, the commander for the
Shenzhou VII spacecraft, became the first Chinese person to walk in space.
A camera captured his emergence from the orbital module of the spacecraft.
United Press International (UPI) reports him first saying upon exit of the spacecraft, "
I feel well. I am here greeting the Chinese people and people of the whole world." [UPI: “
Chinese astronaut walks in space”]
Soon, thereafter, a second astronaut, Liu Boming, handed Zhai the flag of the People’s Republic of China, which he waved in front of the camera.
Images of the historic Chinese event are found on the XinhuaNet.com website “
China completes first spacewalk.”
After the spacewalk was completed, Chinese president Hu Jintao talked with the three space travelers.
He stated,
“Your country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space program." [XinhuaNet.com: “
President Hu says spacewalk a major breakthrough”]
Video of the exciting event, coordinated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), is found on page two.
